Matt Bova had never even tried to qualify for a professional golf tournament before Monday.

By the end of the day, he was trying to figure out how to prepare for next month’s RBC Heritage.

Bova, an assistant professional at Haig Point Club on Hilton Head Island, shot a 1-over 73 in an 18-hole qualifier at Berkeley Hall to earn a spot the Heritage field. He finished one shot ahead of Colleton River Plantation golf director Matt Lucchesi, who received one of two alternate positions. The other went to Julian Blanks of Greenville.

“I haven’t pursued trying to play professionally at all, just because I know how big of a step it is to that next level,” Bova said. “Taking that next step is just so hard. This is a complete surprise to me, really.”

Monday’s qualifier on the Berkeley Hall North Course was held in conjunction with the first round of the Carolinas PGA’s Head Professional Championship.

As an assistant pro, Bova was only eligible to play in the Heritage qualifier. He made the most of it in windy conditions and earned the Carolina PGA’s member exemption into the Heritage.

Bova, 26, got a little emotional as he talked about making his first professional start at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head. The first round of the Heritage is scheduled for April 18, giving him about three weeks to prepare.

“Hopefully I can get some time off and be able to practice,” he said. “I’m sure the members at Haig Point are going to be real happy for me. They’ll be wanting me to get out and practice. The nice thing thing being a local guy is probably a lot of members will come over to watch, which will be a lot of fun.”

A native of Bloomington, Ill., Bova played college golf at NCAA Division III Methodist in Fayetteville, N.C. He took an internship at Haig Point about three years ago and soon received a full-time job at the club. He entered the Heritage qualifier for the first time this year.

Bova said he planned to shoot for par Monday morning and hoped it would be enough to qualify. He opened with a bogey, but birdied the second hole and was 2 over when he made the turn.

On the par-5 10th hole, Bova said he hit the flagstick on his second shot and sank an 18-inch putt for eagle. After bogies on 11 and 14, he bogeyed 15 and parred the final three holes.

“It was brutal, just because of how windy it was,” Bova said. “It obviously brought the scores up a lot. I know last year 67 won it, so I was thinking today if I could just keep it around even I would have a good chance to get in.”

Lucchesi was 3 under through his first seven holes, but bogeyed four of the last five to finish at 2-over 74. Blanks, Paul Dickens of Raliegh, N.C., and John Carter of Banner Elk, N.C., tied for third at 75. The trio decided to flip a coin to determine the second alternate spot.

It’s a long shot Blanks — or Lucchesi — will find his way into the Heritage, said Cory Armstrong, the Carolinas PGA tournament director. He said a member qualifier has never missed out on his appearance in the Heritage.

Bova certainly plans to make his PGA debut next month. He already was thinking Monday about how to calm himself for his initial tee shot at Harbour Town.

“I’m going to be so nervous on that first tee,” he said. “I’m just hoping I won’t top (the ball).”